State Of Orissa v. Artatrana Kuanar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK

O.J.C. No. 6596 of 2002 State of Odisha and Another ....

Petitioners Mr. P.K. Muduli, Addl. Govt. Advocate -versusArtatrana Kuanar and Others ....

Opposite Parties None

CORAM:

THE CHIEF JUSTICE JUSTICE R.K. PATTANAIK Order No.

ORDER

09.03.2022 07.

1. This is a petition by the State Government filed on 26th June, 2002 challenging the order dated 12th January, 2000 of the Odisha Administrative Tribunal (OAT), Bhubaneswar in OA No.2454 of 1992.

2. By an order dated 26th September, 2002 this Court had directed the Petitioners to file an affidavit to explain the delay in filing the writ petition. Pursuant thereto on 23rd March 2005, which is itself nearly three years after the direction issued by the Court, an affidavit was filed seeking to explain the delay.

3. Having perused the affidavit carefully, the Court is not convinced that a satisfactory explanation has been offered for the delay in filing the writ petition. Consequently, the petition is

dismissed on the ground of laches. The question of law, if any, is left open for decision in an appropriate case.

4. An urgent certified copy of this order be issued as per rules. (Dr. S. Muralidhar) Chief Justice (R.K. Pattanaik) Judge S.K. Jena/P.A.